Trimetallic synergistic optimization of 0D NiCoFe-P QDs anchoring on 2D porous carbon for efficient electrocatalysis and high-energy supercapacitor

Developing multi-functional and low-cost noble-metal-free catalysts such as transition metal phosphides (TMPs) to replace noble-metal is of practical significance for energy conversion and storage. However, the low-durability and the agglomeration phenomenon during the electrochemical process limit their practical applications. Herein, using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the precursor and a combined strategy of gradient temperature calcination and thermal phosphorization, a 0D/2D heterostructure of NiCoFe-P quantum dots (QDs) anchored on porous carbon was successfully developed as highly efficient electrode materials for overall water splitting and supercapacitors. Owing to this distinctive 0D/2D heterostructure and the synergistic effect of multi-metallic TMPs, the NiCoFe-P/C exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability of HER (87 mV at 10 mA cm-2) and OER (257 mV at 100 mA cm-2) in the KOH electrolyte. When NiCoFe-P/C is used as the two electrodes of electrolyzed water, only 1.55 V can drive the current density to 10 mA cm-2. At the same time, our NiCoFe-P/C possessed extraordinary property for charge storage. In particular, an ultra-high energy density of 100.8 Wh kg-1 was achieved at a power density of 900.0 W kg-1 for our assembled hybrid supercapacitor device NiCoFe-P/C (2:1)//activated carbon (AC). This work may open a potential way for the design of 0D/2D hybrid multifunctional nanomaterials based on TMPs QDs. (c) 2022 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study successfully developed a 0D/2D heterostructure of NiCoFe-P quantum dots anchored on porous carbon as efficient electrode materials for water splitting and supercapacitors. The material exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability, as well as exceptional energy storage performance.